The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters has released the following bulletin:

I write to inform you that General Linda Bond is entering into retirement.

Following a period of personal reflection and prayer, General Bond has decided that she should relinquish the Office of the General with effect from June 13, 2013. The General’s decision to step down comes after 44 years of ministry.

As is required by our constitution, contained in the Salvation Army Act 1980, the Chief of the Staff will perform the functions of the General pending the election of a new General.

The Chief of the Staff will also shortly be calling a High Council to elect the new General. A further announcement regarding that High Council will be made in due course.

General Bond, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Education and a Master’s degree in Theological Studies, entered the training college in Canada as a cadet in 1967 and was commissioned as an officer two years later. She spent the following nine years in corps appointments, before being appointed first as a member of the training staff at the College for Officer Training in Toronto and then as Territorial Candidates Secretary. She returned to corps ministry, becoming Commanding Officer of the Kitchener Corps, before serving at the College for Officer Training in St. John’s, Newfoundland, as Assistant Training Principal, Divisional Secretary of the Maritime Division and Divisional Commander of the same division.

In 1995 she was appointed to International Headquarters in London as Under Secretary for Personnel. She remained in the United Kingdom, transferring to the UK Territory as Divisional Commander, Central North Division, in 1998. A return to Canada came just over a year later, when she was appointed as Chief Secretary, Canada and Bermuda Territory.

In July 2002 she was appointed to the USA Western Territory, where she served as Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries. She returned to International Headquarters in 2005, as Secretary for Spiritual Life Development and International External Relations.

In 2008 she became Territorial Commander of the Australia Eastern Territory. She was elected to The Salvation Army’s most senior office in January, 2011.

We pray God’s blessing upon General Linda Bond as she enters retirement.

“We’ve had some very unusual ministries and frankly, we’re just looking for the ministries wherever we travel,” says Major Don Wildish, an officer with The Salvation Army in Sherman, Texas.

Wildish’s 2-week deployment to Oklahoma has been anything but usual, if there is such a thing.

He arrived on May 31, 2013, with an assignment to offer Emotional and Spiritual Care to those affected by the tornado that touched down in Moore 11 days earlier. The first night in town he and a few others headed out for dinner, but shortly after arriving the tornado sirens began to blare.

“The restaurant invited us to take shelter, but there was no way I was going to take shelter in a place where there was big hot stoves and sharp knives,” Wildish recalls.

So without knowing his way around town, Wildish drove toward the one thing he could see – bright blue skies above the airport.

“But then the skies turned dark and we had to go a different way. We ran from one tornado only to run into another one,” he says.

With the skies turning overhead, Wildish and his group took cover at the next place they saw, a hotel outside of the airport. The staff inside was in the process of asking guests to come down from their rooms and occupy the first floor.

“We gathered into the bathroom and stuffed as many people into the men’s restroom as we could – both women and men. I had an opportunity to have a word of prayer with them and let them know the Lord was with us.”

The storm brewing outside left her mark; the National Weather Service has since marked it as the ‘widest known tornado in U.S. history,’ stretching 2.6 miles at its widest point. With two massive storms less than two weeks apart, Wildish certainly had his work as an Emotional and Spiritual Care volunteer cut out for him.

A few days later he decided to go into Moore.

“I wanted to see if there was any movement. I wanted to see if there was anyone I could serve. When I got into the middle of destruction, a place where there was nothing left at all, I found a woman, an older woman, working outside to trim her hedges. I asked her if she needed help, and she said, ‘Well, there’s a few spots up there that are too high for me to reach’.”

Wildish took the clippers from her and began to trim her hedges. As he finished the area she asked if he could help with a few other spots on the other side.

“Once I finished the second area she told me that we needed to move the clippings to the curb,” he recounts.

“Well we have to take it to the curb,” she explained, “That’s where the collectors come to pick up the trash.”

Wildish looked at the devastation around, but recognized what it meant for this woman to be able to take care of the one thing left standing among all of her belongings.

“…so we climbed over a few piles of debris, in order to place the hedge clippings in a spot where the collector would find them.”

When Major Wildish finished the task he asked the woman if she needed additional help.

“No, I’m just gonna go back and sweep my porch; it needs sweeping,” she answered.

“You’re right,” he said back to her. “It does need sweeping.”

Major Wildish asked the woman if he could pray with her and then was on his way.

Throughout the rest of the day he had other chances to serve.

“My ministry has taken me to places where I don’t even know where I’m at. In Union City, going towards El Reno, we would stop and I would just give a drink and some snacks to the men working on the electrical lines and the other crews that were just working to free up traffic.

Later I found a family who needed help loading a box spring and a mattress into their new home.

Another time we found a house where power lines were down. I could not get to the house. We stood out in front and I yelled, ‘If there’s anyone inside, please step out,’ and a moment later a couple came to the door. I couldn’t get to them, and they couldn’t get to me, because the power lines were down in between us. But we were able to toss them a dozen drinks over the power line into their yard. We got them a large plastic bag of snacks and threw it over the power line too.”

Major Wildish says his assignment is simple, and he’s honored by the chance he has to serve.

“We’ve been in some real peculiar situations out there, but it’s my roll just to bring some comfort, bring some strength to those in need.”

The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Area Command is thrilled to announce the Groundbreaking of TSA Chesapeake Energy Center of Hope Groundbreaking on Thursday, June 6, at 2 p.m. at NW 10th and Pennsylvania Avenue (formerly the AMC Flea Market).

The Center of Hope will be a new building complex putting major Salvation Army programs and services together for a one-stop location to provide comprehensive family, community, and social services. This beautiful 26-acre, campus-like setting will upgrade all of the current Army programs, add new community services, and provide for future expansion and growth. This 50,000 sq. ft. facility Center of Hope will include designated space for social services; emergency shelters for men, women and children; food pantry; community outreach and an administrative center for The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Area Command.

“The Salvation Army has always been blessed with private and individual donors who have supported our work and mission,” said Major Proctor. “And now we need their support more than ever in order to build a center that will provide hope and relief to an even greater number of suffering souls in our community.”

“We learned firsthand how indispensable The Salvation Army was during the Oklahoma City bombing and again and again through each of our natural disasters while I was governor,” said Former Gov. Keating. “They have been there on a daily basis for thousands of individuals and families who have needed their help, guidance and encouragement since.

“Now they need our help. The new facilities will dramatically expand the Army’s capacity to meet the growing demand for services and will accommodate, for decades to come, current and new programs designed to provide a hand up to people in need.”

The Salvation Army’s current facilities are located on a city-block site, encompassing SW 4th St. and SW 5th St. between Hudson and Harvey Avenues in downtown Oklahoma City. That area will become a community park under The City of Oklahoma City’s Core to Shore redevelopment plan.

Yesterday Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) relief efforts expanded into an additional Multi-Agency Relief Center (MARC) set up to serve the survivors of the May 31 events in El Reno at Jenx Simmons Field House at 214 N. Country Club Rd.

Salvation Army disaster relief services at that location include financial assistance to tornado survivors, Salvation Army Family Stores clothing vouchers to tornado and flooding survivors, and referrals for other services.

Yesterday was also the first day of new distribution hours at The Salvation Army Disaster Relief Center in the Plaza Mayor at the Crossroads location (formerly Crossroads Mall).

To better serve community needs, including survivors who have returned to work and cannot visit the Disaster Relief Center during traditional business hours, The Salvation Army has instituted new hours of operation for the Disaster Relief Center from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.Each day, the last service appointment of the day at the Salvation Army Disaster Relief Center will be accepted at 7:15 p.m.

One of the nation’s largest federally recognized emergency disaster services agencies in the U.S., The Salvation Army provides relief to 1-2 million disaster survivors and first responders each year and is well-versed in transitioning personnel and resources from initial relief operations—such as providing food, hydration, and initial emotional and spiritual care—to long-term recovery operations that help disaster survivors to re-establish their households and daily lives.

In Oklahoma, Salvation Army EDS teams have been serving and ministering to survivors of the May tornadoes that decimated multiple communities around the Oklahoma City area since May 19. Following a new spate of storms on May 31, The Salvation Army has expanded EDS operations to include new service areas and provisions, including providing residents still without power at their homes with bottled water and food boxes until their power is restored via the Salvation Army Relief Center at the Plaza Mayor at the Crossroads (in the former JC Penney storefront).

These disaster relief operations will continue, as the Army’s first aim is to meet the basic needs of both survivors and first responders:

· Material Comfort· Physical Comfort· Spiritual and Emotional SupportSalvation Army EDS staff and volunteers act as a means of expressing God’s love to those in need. The need following these May tornadoes and flooding is great—and will not be met overnight. The Salvation Army has already begun, in the few weeks since the initial storms, to see that Oklahomans’ unmet needs are changing—and our EDS operations are changing and will continue to change in response.

The Salvation Army expects to announce our long-term recovery plan in the near future. We understand that because so many Oklahomans have lost so much–their homes, their cars, their businesses, their jobs—The Salvation Army will experience increased requests for all types of financial and material assistance, not only in the next few months but also through the holidays and into the new year. Serving Oklahomans for more than a century already, The Salvation Army is always prepared to extend a helping hand to our neighbors in need. We are committed to serving Oklahomans’ unmet needs indefinitely.

UPDATES: For the latest updates on The Salvation Army’s response to this disaster, there are many options to follow:

Since May 19, 2013, The Salvation Army has provided 48,201 meals, 70,675 drinks, and 62,431 snacks, 22 Canteens (mobile feeding units), 3,794 Clean Up and 5,496 Comfort (hygiene) kits, and prayer with 8,567 persons. More than 13,543 hours have been logged by volunteers, employees and officers.

Updates by LocationThe Salvation Army will continue to provide relief services for tornado and flooding survivors and those impacted by power outages indefinitely. Food, hydration, emotional and spiritual care and other supplies are being provided to residents of the heavily impacted areas including:Canadian County (El Reno, Mustang, Union City), Cleveland County (Little Axe), Lincoln County (Carney), Pottawatomie County(Shawnee and surrounding area), Henryetta,andMoore.· Overall, The Salvation Army has provided food and hydration, as well other items including:ü Clean-up Suppliesü Hygiene Productsü Household Goodsü Financial Assistance to Tornado Survivorsü Salvation Army Family Stores Clothing Vouchers to Tornado and Flooding Survivors MARCs (Multi-Agency Resource Centers)Hours: Doors Open at 9:00 a.m.The Salvation Army is providing:

IN KIND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE (Bulk Distribution) of In-Kind GiftsAt this location, The Salvation Army is providing water, food, hygiene items, and clean-up kits for anyone affected by the recent tornadoes and flooding.

As one of the nation’s largest federally recognized emergency disaster services agencies, providing relief to 1-2 million disaster survivors and first responders each year in the United States, The Salvation Army is well-versed in transitioning personnel and resources form initial relief operations—such as providing food, hydration, and initial emotional and spiritual care—to long-term recovery operations that help disaster survivors to re-establish their households and daily lives.

In Oklahoma, Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services teams have been serving and ministering to survivors of the May tornadoes that decimated multiple communities around the Oklahoma City area since May 19. Following a new spate of storms on May 31, The Salvation Army has expanded EDS operations to include new service areas and provisions. Including providing residents still without power at their homes with bottled water and food boxes until their power is restored via the Tornado Relief Center at the Plaza Mayor at the Crossroads (in the former JC Penney storefront). Distribution hours are 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

These relief operations will continue, as the Army’s first aim is to meet the basic needs of both survivors and first responders:
· Material Comfort
· Physical Comfort
· Spiritual and Emotional Support

Salvation Army EDS staff and volunteers act as a means of expressing God’s love to those in need. The need following these May tornadoes is great—and will not be met overnight. We’ve already begun, in the few, short weeks since the initial storms, to see that Oklahomans’ unmet needs are changing—and our services are and will continue to change in response.

The Salvation Army expects to announce our long-term recovery plan in the near future. We understand that because so many Oklahomans have lost their homes, their cars, their businesses, their jobs, we will experience increased requests for all types of financial and material assistance, not only in the next few months but also through the holidays and into the new year.

Since May 19, 2013, The Salvation Army has provided 44,573 meals, 62,915 drinks, and 54,479 snacks, 22 Canteens (mobile feeding units), 3,619 Clean Up and 3,439 Comfort (hygiene) kits, and prayer with 7,115 persons. More than 11,823 hours have been logged by volunteers, employees and officers.

Updates by Location
The Salvation Army will continue to provide relief services for tornado survivors indefinitely. Food, hydration, emotional and spiritual care, and other supplies are being provided to residents of the heavily impacted areas including:Canadian County (El Reno, Mustang, Union City) Cleveland County (Little Axe), Lincoln County (Carney), Pottawatomie County (Shawnee and surrounding area), and Moore.
· Overall, The Salvation Army has provided food and hydration, as well other items including:

Clean-up Supplies

Hygiene Products

Household Goods

Financial Assistance to Tornado Survivors

Salvation Army Family Stores Clothing Vouchers to Tornado Survivors

MARCs (Multi-Agency Resource Centers)Hours: Doors Open at 9:00 a.m.
The Salvation Army is providing:
· Financial Assistance to Tornado Survivors
· Salvation Army Family Stores Clothing Vouchers to Tornado Survivors

Nationally:
· The Salvation Army maintains a fleet of disaster vehicles and supply warehouses across the United States to enable speedy mobilization.
· There are more than 300 emergency response vehicles in the eastern and southern United States alone and nearly 600 units nationwide.
· These units are able to serve thousands of meals and drinks per day when operating at full capacity.
· In addition to food, hydration, and emotional and spiritual care, The Salvation Army is also prepared to provide:

DONATIONS:
Monetary donations are the most critical need as supplies and personnel move into the areas of greatest need.

· Donors are encouraged to give online at www.SalvationArmyUSA.org or by calling
1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).
· You can also text the word “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation through your mobile phone; to confirm your gift, respond with the word “Yes.”*
· Checks may be made out to:
The Salvation Army Disaster Relief
PO BOX 2536
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Please designate “Oklahoma May Tornadoes” on all checks.

Your donations make a real difference.
· A $10 donation feeds a disaster survivor for one day.
· A $30 donation provides one food box, containing staple foods for a family of four, or one household cleanup kit, containing brooms, mops, buckets and other cleaning supplies.
· A $100 donation can serve snacks and drinks for 125 survivors and emergency personnel at the scene of a disaster.
· A $250 donation can provide one hot meal to 100 people or keep a hydration station operational for 24 hours.
· A $500 donation keeps a Salvation Army canteen (mobile feeding unit) fully operational for one day.

In-Kind:The Salvation Army cannot accept unsolicited in kind donations for the Oklahoma tornado relief operation.
· Corporations, foundations and others interested in donating to The Salvation Army response effort should contact Lanita Lloyd at Lanita_Lloyd@uss.salvationarmy.org or 404-728-1300 ext. 10680.
· Due to the high expense and time demands associated with delivering your gently used household goods and clothing (gifts-in-kind), The Salvation Army cannot guarantee that any individual gifts-in-kind donated will be sent to the disaster area. In times of disaster, our stores fill these needs from existing, pre-sorted stock. By continuing to donate gently used household goods to your local Salvation Army store, you not only help your community, you help us prepare for future disaster relief needs. To find your nearest drop-off location, please visit www.satruck.org.

VOLUNTEERS:
· Those interested in volunteering with The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services should register at www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org. Please note that disaster service training is a prerequisite for volunteering in a disaster zone and not all registered volunteers will be called on to serve.
· There are some direct-service volunteer opportunities available with The Salvation Army’s Oklahoma tornado response. Individuals or groups interested in helping provide assistance to Oklahomans affected by these storms may view and register for available opportunities by visitingwww.VolunteerCentralOklahoma.org. Under “Find Volunteer Opportunities,” search for “Salvation Army Disaster.”